Signal



May 1', 1923. 1,453,623

r F. B. GIRVEN ET AL SIGNAL" Filed May 10, 11922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESS:

F. B. GIRVEN ET AL May 1, 1923.

S IGNAL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 10, 1922 fi-rz/wql/ B. 6 new/1v Ha C 6 INVENTORS Patented May 1, 1923.

FITZHUGH B. GIRVIN AND HAYS C 03F GEORGETQWN, TEXAS.

SIGNAL.

Application file-:1 May 10,

in connection with an electrically operated signal for giving a warning when a train or car is approaching the crossing.

Another object of the invention is provision of a circuit closer wherein the contacts are moved at eachoperation of the device to present a fresh contact surface, the operation of the closer acting to differently position the contacts for a subsequent operation.

Another object of the invention is the the provision of a novel means for operating the closer, so that the latter may be actuated by the wheels of a car or train.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings 2- Figure 1 is a plan view of a railroad crossing with the invention in position for use.

Figure 2 is a section taken transversely of the track and showing the invention in side elevation.

Figure 3 is a vertical section on the line 33 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the circuit closer.

Figure 4 is a similar view but looking in an opposite direction.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure 4: but showing a modified form of ramp.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the reference character 10 indicates the rails of a track, to which is secured a base 11 having a bearing for a rock shaft 12. One end of the shaft 12 is provided with a crank arm 13 and the extremity of the latter is pivotally secured to a ramp 14 positioned adjacent one of the mile 10? Th Greek arm 5 s s cured to the 1922. Serial No. 559,944.

ramp 1- intermediate the ends of the latter and also aivotall r secured to this ram 3 near 1 each end is one end of a crank arm 15, the latter also having hearings in the base 11. (line opposite end of each of the crank arms is connected. to one end of a torsion ing 16, while the opposite end of this coring is rigidly secured as shown at 17.

t will be apparent from the drawings and the foregoing description, that the wheels of a car or train passing along the rail 10 will depress the ramp 1%, moving the same longit ally of the rail so as to ro tate the shaft 12. As soon as pressure is relieved from the ramp 14 the springs 16 through the crank arms 15 will return the ramp to its normal position.

The rock shaft 12 has its opposite end mounted in a bearing provided in a standard or support 18-and this shaft has included therein adjacent the support a crank 19. Pivot v secured to this crank is the lower end c a lever 20, the upper end of the said le being provided with a slot 21 which receives a guide pin 22 extending from the support 18. Gperation of the rock sl will thus impart a vertical pivotal movement to the lever 20.

Secured to this lever and extending .ransverselv beyond each side edge thereof, is an arm 23, which is provided at each end with a bearing 24:. herein shown in the form of claws. hlounted within each of these hearings is a spherical contact member 25 which is capable of rotary movement therein.

Extending from the support 18 at each side of the lever 20 and spaced from the opposite ends of the arm 23, is a bracket 26 and the outer ends of these brackets are provided with bearings 27, similar to the bearings 2% and like these last mentioned beari hold spherical contact members 28. The contact members 28 are spaced from and located in the path of movement of the contact 11 embers 25 so that when the shaft 12 is rocked in the manner previously devribed, one of the contact members 25 will engage one of the contact members 28. depending upon the direction of movement of the lever 20. The contact members 25 and are designed to close a circuit to a signal or other electric device and at each contact, the members 25 and 28 will be moved in their bearings so that at the next operation of t circuit close fresh contact surface will be presented. This prevents undue wear at the points of contact of the members 25 and 28 and acts to provide a clean contact'ing surface for the passage of current.

In Figure 5 the ramp is shown in the form of a circular disk 29 which is pivotally connected to the rock shaft and is p0s1- tioned adjacent one of the rails 10 so as to be depressed by the wheels of the car or train. This ramp 29 is adapted to actuate the circuit closer in the manner previously described and may be returned to its normal position by any desired means. For example, springs may be connected to the opposite sides of the rock shaft to normally hold the crank 19 on center. If desired, the ramps 14.- and 28 may be positioned inside of the rails with the rock shafts extendin beneath the latter so that the ramps wifi be actuated by the flanges of the wheels and a guard rail may be properly positioned to guide the ramps in their movement.

The invention is susceptible of various chan es in its form, proportions and minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention what is claimed is 1. In a signal actuating mechanism, a base adapted to be secured adjacent a track, a rock shaft mounted for pivotal movement in the base, a substantially L-shaped crank arm located at one end of the shaft, a ramp located adjacent one rail of the track and pivotally secured to the crank arm at a point substantially central between the ends of the ramp, crank arms having one of their ends pivotally secured. to the ends of the ramp and having bearings in the base, torsion springs connected to the opposite ends of the last mention crank arms and a circuit closer operated by the rock shaft.

2. A circuit closer embodying a support, a rock shaft, a crank arm included therein, a lever having one end pivotally secured to the crank arm, a guide carried by the support and engaging the lever, relatively movable contact elements carried by and extending beyond the opposite sides of the lever, stationary brackets located upon each side of said lever and a movable contact carried by each bracket and normally spaced from the lever carried contacts and means whereby the rock shaft may be actuated.

3. A circuit closer embodying a support, a rock shaft, a crank arm included therein, a lever having one end pivotally secured to the crank arm, a guide carried by the support and engaging the lever, an arm secured,"

to and extending transversely beyond each side of the lever, a bearing at each end of the arm, a stationary bracket located upon each side of the lever, a bearing at the upper end of each bracket, said bracket being,

located in the path of and spaced from the bearings of the transversely extending arm, a spherical contact element mounted for rotation in each. of said bearings and means whereby the rock shaft may be actuated.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures.

FITZHUGH B. GIRVIN. HAYS C. GEE. 

